Fiji group wants Ghai constitution to be considered followed by a referendum

A Fiji group headed by former political party leaders has called for the Yash Ghai draft constitution to be re-instated and for a fully representative Constituent Assembly to consider it before it is referred to the people in a referendum.

The United Front for a Democratic Fiji says a public meeting last night in Suva rejected the government's draft constitution as an imposition on the people by an unelected, unlawful regime.

The United Front, started by Mahendra Chaudhry, Ratu Jone Kubuabola, Raman Pratap Singh, Attar Singh and Mick Beddoes, says about 300 attended the meeting to discuss the government's draft.

The group also called for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to help heal the injustices and ills of the past and help the country move forward.

It also strongly criticised the Fiji media, saying it has completely succumbed to pressure from the regime, and appears to be operating as an extension of the Information Ministry.

It says the local media needs to assert its rights and play a more courageous, responsible and honest role in reporting on issues of national interest.